Un-Patriotic

Part 3

by Peter Kadzis

To his credit, Kraft has pledged about $200 million of his own money to build the stadium, in exchange for necessary improvements to the neighboring infrastructure.

Still, expert political opinion ranges from weary resignation to outright support for the idea of building the stadium right where it is now -- in Foxborough.

There is an element of the "gotcha" in all this. When Kraft owned the stadium, but not the team, he was a booster supreme of Foxborough. Situated in the triangle formed by Boston, Providence, and Worcester, it was, he said, a superb regional location.

Now that Kraft controls the neighboring Foxboro Park raceway -- having squeezed longtime operator Charlie Sarkis out in anticipation of an expected future deal to allow expanded gambling facilities -- he has, the presumption goes, more than enough room to maneuver. He can simply tear down the track, build a new stadium, and then build a new track on the old stadium site.

There is a logic to this.

The best plan for the city would be a joint complex in South Boston. But if that's a political impossibility, then the governor and the mayor should say so.

Menino has been clear that his first priority is getting the convention center built. If he won't help turn public opinion around in Southie, then he ought to stand up and say the stadium belongs in Foxborough.

Weld, for his part, might do well to get his hands dirty and take a stronger stand on the issue.

As for Bob Kraft -- well, at this point he's best off keeping his mouth shut.

Peter Kadzis can be reached at mailto:pkadzis[a]phx.com.